Location: Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
Due to its location in the tropics, Vietnam faces impacts from both typhoons in the Northern Pacific and severe tropical cyclones in the Southern Pacific Ocean. The typhoon season in Vietnam runs from approximately June 1 through the end of November and the tropical cyclone season runs from November 1 to April 30 of the following year. If you are a U.S. Citizen traveling or residing in Vietnam, you may enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety messages and other travel information. During the approach of a typhoon you should monitor the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center and the Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (Tiếng Việt).
You should also have an emergency plan in place before the approach of a storm, as even areas far from the coastline can experience dangerous winds, tornadoes, mudslides, and floods. As this is an almost year-round phenomenon, please take the following precautionary measures to ensure minimal disruption or damage. You should also contact friends and family in the United States with updates on your whereabouts.
- Locate shelter and follow all official instructions, including evacuation if ordered.
- Carry your travel documents at all times (i.e., U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture ID’s, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location.
- Secure loose outdoor items (limbs, roofing material, windows (coverings), doors, debris (trash), etc.).
- Fill vehicle, generator, and water tanks.
- Check and charge radios.
- Charge cell phones and carry your charger.
- Have bottled water; make ice.
- Gather flashlights, tools, and first aid supplies.
- Have fresh batteries, candles, matches, water, groceries (canned and/or dry foods), and pet supplies.
- Assure an adequate supply of first aid materials and prescription medications.
- Stay home and let your family and office know how you plan to weather the storm, especially those family members in the United States.
- Monitor our website or travel.state.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @travelgov. We will issue updated messages and information specific to the circumstances.
- Prepare your family and home for flooding and power outages.
Additional information on natural disasters including hurricanes/typhoons and storm preparedness may be found on the following disaster preparedness websites.
General Disaster Preparedness Websites:
- U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs Emergencies Abroad website– general information and resources for U.S. citizens experiencing an emergency outside of the United States.
- U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs Natural Disasters website– general information and resources pertaining to natural disasters.
- U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Ready website– general information and resources for emergency preparedness
- American Red Cross– Member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Vietnam enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at www.Travel.State.Gov. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Vietnam. For additional information, refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” on the State Department’s website.
Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
For U.S. citizens in need of urgent assistance, please contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy, located at 170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; Telephone: (028) 3850-5000 or the U.S. Consulate General, located at 4 Le Duan, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Telephone” (028) 3520-4200.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Hanoi 024-3850-5000 | U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City 028-3520-4200
- State Department, Consular Affairs, 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
- Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
For more information on how to prepare for typhoons and other natural disasters, please visit the State Department’s Natural Disaster webpage. Please also check the State Department’s Worldwide Caution webpage for Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Vietnam Country Specific Information.
